# SEO vs. AEO: difference and context

German title: SEO vs. AEO: Unterschied und Einordnung

> SEO aims at discoverability and clicks from search results, AEO at being named as a source in answers. According to Google, both rest on the same basics. In February 2024 Gartner forecast a 25 percent drop in traditional search volume by 2026; whether that happened has not been checked here.

## Facts

- **Gartner forecast:** −25% search volume by 2026 (forecast, 19 Feb 2024)
- **Google:** same prerequisites as classic search

## Comparison

SEO and AEO at a glanceAspect SEO AEO (working term)
Goal Visibility and clicks from search results Being named or linked in answers
Google prerequisite indexed, snippet-eligible the same prerequisite
Measurement Search Console, analytics AI features appear in the Performance report under “Web”

## Gartner forecast

On 19 February 2024 Gartner published the forecast that traditional search engine volume would drop 25 percent by 2026 because AI chatbots and other virtual agents take over queries. This is a forecast, not a measurement. The underlying Gartner research is paywalled and was not reviewed; whether the forecast holds by the end of 2026 is open.

## Conclusion

What is verified: Google requires no special treatment for AI Overviews. The statements “AEO replaces SEO” or “AEO wins” are not verified and are not made.

## Sources

- Google Search Central: AI features and your website (primary source)
- Gartner: Predicts search engine volume will drop 25% by 2026 (Press release, 19 Feb 2024) (primary source)

Checked on: 24 October 2026.

## Questions

### Does AEO replace SEO?

That is not verified. Google names the same prerequisites for AI Overviews as for search.

### Was the Gartner forecast confirmed?

No verified measurement is available here. The forecast dates from 19 February 2024.

### Do I need both?

That is a project-specific decision. What is verified is that search fundamentals also apply to Google's AI features.

## Related

- [What is AEO? Answer engine optimization explained](https://munichmedia.com/reports/was-ist-aeo.md)
- [Google AI Overviews: what Google documents](https://munichmedia.com/reports/google-ai-overviews.md)
- [How AI search picks sources: state of the evidence](https://munichmedia.com/reports/aeo-quellen-ai-overviews.md)
- [AEO tracking: metrics, tools and limits](https://munichmedia.com/reports/aeo-tracking-kpis.md)

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